(Photo by NH DIVISION OF HISTORICAL RESOURCES) Griffin Hansen, who proposed the creation and installation of a New Hampshire Historical Highway Marker recognizing the late Raymond resident Frank J. Mafera for inventing a new way to form wire fencing, known today as chain-link fencing, stands with the marker at its unveiling last week.

CONCORD – The state Division of Historical Resources has been busy of late with its Historical Highway Marker program, having unveiled numbers 273, 274 and 275 over the past few weeks.

The markers, which feature a plaque describing the site or event and how they came to be recognized as a historic site, are intended to “illustrate the depth and complexity of (New Hampshire) history and the people who made it,” according to the program’s mission statement.

The markers feature a wide range of people and subjects, from the last Revolutionary War soldier and contemporary sports figures to poets and painters who used the Granite State for inspiration.

The program is jointly managed by the state Division of Historical Resources and the state Department of Transportation.

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(NH Department of Transportation photo) One of the two newest historical highway markers installed by the state Division of Historical Resources commemorates the natural pulpit in the town of Twin Mountain from which the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher preached in the 19th century.

Marker 0273

Unveiled in mid-June, marker 0273 pays tribute to the late former Raymond resident Frank J. Mafera, who in 1930 “patented a method of forming wire fence fabric” that rapidly became popular for residential use “because it was safer and more attractive, yet still strong,” according to the inscription.

Raymond resident Griffin Hansen proposed the creation and installation of the marker recognizing Mafera, which is located on the northwest corner of Routes 156 and 27.

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Marker 0274

(Photo by NH DIVISION OF HISTORICAL RESOURCES) Family members of the late Frank Mafera, who in 1930 patented his method of improving the manufacture of chain-link fencing, gather at the historic highway marker that the state Division of Historical Resources unveiled in Raymond last week.

Named “Beecher’s Pulpit,” marker 0274, unveiled in early July in conjunction with the town of Carroll’s 250th anniversary celebration, recognizes the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, a Congregationalist clergyman and reformer from New York known for his support of the abolition of slavery.

Due to his seasonal allergies, Beecher vacationed in the White Mountains for a number of summers, staying at the Twin Mountain House and often preaching sermons from the natural pulpit near the house.

The marker stands just north of the intersection of Routes 3 and 302 in the Carroll village of Twin Mountain.

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Marker 0275

(Photo by NH DIVISION OF HISTORICAL RESOURCES) The state Division of Historical Resources newest historic highway marker was unveiled last week at the intersection of Routes 27 and 156 in Raymond.

Not long after they read New Hampshire author Elizabeth Yates’s book, “Sarah Whitcher’s Story,” a group of first- and second-graders at the Dublin Christian Academy collected the signatures needed to propose a highway marker recounting the story of the little girl who inspired multiple children’s books.

The marker, titled “Sarah Whitcher and the Bear,” capsulizes the story of 3-year-old Sarah, who, way back in 1783, became lost in the woods near present-day Route 25 and Swain Hill Road in the town of Warren.

To read the inscription that describes the enchanting little tale, go to www.nh.gov/nhdhr, where more information about the marker program, including an interactive map of all the state’s highway markers, can also be found.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.